Clark feels the reason quilting has suffered over the years is because of the introduction of ready made clothes. She also said it is less cost effective today for people to make their own clothes.

But she said quilting is an art form, especially the intricate patterns that the more skilled can pull off. She also said knowing how to sew would allow kids to repair their own clothes or customize them by making their own alterations.

She said like anything else, practice is needed to become really good at quilting.

This year is the last year of the grant, and Clark will be offering a quilting class at the 4-H summer camp this year. Even though the grant will be over, the classes will probably continue.

Clark hopes that the class will be self-sustaining, and she believes they have a curriculum already in place.

The most surprising thing to Clark has been how the students have reacted to the classes.

“It has been so fun and the students absolutely love it,” she said. “I’m amazed because I really work them hard. All of them have taken to it like a duck to water.”